The project looks at four main threats to coral reefs -- marine-based threats, over-fishing, coastal development, and land-based sources of pollution -- in six main coral reef regions.

CNN: Could online maps save coral reefs?

Few countries have adopted legislation to reduce land-based marine pollution, leading to an increase in the number of dead ocean areas.

UNESCO: Social and Human Sciences

Experts gave an overview of current threats and challenges, including declining coral reefs and acidification (Scott Doney), sea level rise (Joe Appiott), coastal erosion, land-based sources of marine pollution, and overfishing (Brittany Baschuk).

UNESCO: Social and Human Sciences

LOST's provisions on prevention of marine pollution from land-based sources could easily serve as a convenient peg on which to hang the greenhouse gas-regulating Kyoto Protocol, even though that treaty has also never been ratified.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: LOST oil prophets